September 30/02 8:38 am - Hardwood Hills MTB Raid - Ontario

Posted by Editor on 09/30/02

Hardwood Hills MTB Raid - OntarioCourtesy Glenn Meeuwisse

The course, though secret until race day, has been finalized for the 2002 version of the Hardwood MTB RAID on Oct. 6th. This year's course has been great fun to put together. The course is one 80 km loop for the full RAID, and one 40 km loop for the petite raid. It is over 70% single track and the rest is rolling gravel roads. Fall colours will be in full swing and the route offers some awesome vistas.

Water crossing from past courses have been taken out as the salmon are running. Last year's winner, Provincial Champion Mike Garrigan, is hoping to break the 4 hours mark this year. See the website www.hardwoodhills.ca/raid.htm for full info.

Road Worlds Update

Facts & Figures from the organizers and UCI:

ParticipantsThe number of participants based on the UCI entries list on 02.09.26 is:

The number of participating countries: about 50The total number of race kilometres to be covered by all participants together: more than 170,000 kmThe total number of race hours and minutes to be driven by the riders of the different categories: approximately 27 hours.The total number of race laps to be covered by the riders: more than 12,000The number of official cars: 53The number of produced numbers: 2,300The number of produced frame tags: 940

Accreditations:

The total number of allocated UCI accreditations is 3,272. Subdivided per category, this means:

520 members of the organization and the UCI50 UCI acknowledged teams793 national team members1,319 riders entered for the Time Trial and the Road World Championships590 journalists, photographers

Expected number of World Championships' spectators for Sunday: 80,075 spectators.

For a smooth reception of the public, a parking capacity of 50,000 vehicles is provided during the weekend. Over 400 buses of the 'De Lijn' will bring the public to the track. The Hasselt railway station expects over 18,000 train passengers on Sunday. For supporters coming on bike, 3 bike sheds, each with a capacity of 1,000 bicycles, are provided.

- For the delineation of the track 31,884 metres of crush barriers and 6,336 metres of fencing will be installed.- The number of square metres spent on publicity at and along the track is estimated at some 9,000 sq. m.- For the spectators and the guests, the organisation will install some 120 lavatories along the track, 20 of which will be especially equipped for disabled. A sanitation team will ensure that everything remains clean.- On the highways (E313 and E314) in the direction of the World Championships at and around Circuit Zolder, 96 traffic or road signs will be installed.- The thirsty will be able to quench their thirst: hectolitres of beer (Ed. Note: mmm, Belgian beer...) and refreshments will be available, as well as hundreds of kilos of sausages and Belgian chips. More than 30 snack bars and over 30 catering stands will ensure that the public is smoothly fed and refreshed.- There will be no shortage of audiovisual facilities: 8 video walls (in total, an image of 180 sq m), projection systems and some 150 televisions should enable the public and the VIP's to follow the races.- 40,000 official programs (72 pages thick) will be offered to the VIP's, the press and the public.

This year, the Southern Ontario Cyclo-cross Series promises to be one of the most exciting ever. There is a total of no less than twelve events, with two of the early November races being held in the Buffalo area and organized by Handlebars Bike Shop. This will make for larger and more competitive fields and will certainly increase the likilihood of more cross-border competition in the summer. Full schedule below.